Chapter 005: The Distress of Talent (Part One)

Mr. Mu observed his reaction and couldn't help but sneer inwardly: If it weren't for the Chen family, would a useless dandy like you, with no prominent lineage, be worth my assistant's trip?

As for that gourd plant, it is even more noteworthy; it has merely grown a little, yet it has never shown any signs of blooming.

The County Academy and the three major sects only sent the introductory sections of their highest texts—this is also true for the Thunder Hall, which claims to have greater sincerity. Although they sent the first three chapters, the "True Explanation of the Azure Sky and Thunder" consists of a total of thirty-six chapters, meaning that the first three chapters are equivalent to the first part of other sects.

Chen Yi counted on his fingers: "The people from the Chuyun Gate, the Yinhua Sect, and the Zhenlei Hall"

He no longer pays attention to Chen Zhining, but simply engages in light-hearted conversation with Chen Yunpeng

He spoke, took out a bound manuscript, and solemnly handed it to Chen Zhining, then said: "The expectations for you from the sect are quite high, as can be seen from this 'Qingyun Zhi'. I hope you will not disappoint the sincere efforts of everyone at the Chuyun Gate."

A young disciple with an ethereal and transcendent demeanor arrived at the Chuyun Gate. In his early twenties, he had already reached the initial stage of the Yuanrong realm in his cultivation.

Chen Yunpeng said repeatedly from the side: "Then I kindly ask you to take more care, sir"

Indeed, the three plants each have their own personalities! Chen Zhining smiled wryly and exited the ring space. However, he became even more curious about the functions of this peach.

After staying at home for a few days, Chen Zhining could no longer bear it and called up two lackeys to go out and have some fun.

Hehe. Chen Zhining chuckled twice, yet he did not stubbornly refuse to acknowledge it.

I have already sent someone to register you at the county academy and the three major sects. When the entrance examination day arrives, do your best to bring honor to your father and strive to enter one of them. Although it is not impossible for you to cultivate at home, the county academy and the sects each have their own advantages, and being there will allow you to engage in more exchanges, preventing you from becoming a frog at the bottom of a well due to solitary practice.

After registration, there are ten days to prepare for the introductory assessment. Everyone is nervously preparing, and those with the means at home are doing everything possible to enhance their children's physical fitness and qualifications. For someone like Cai Hao, the only option is to practice hard every day

Chen Yunpeng stared at him, and Chen Zhining lowered his head in guilt. Bang! Something was thrown onto the table, and Chen Yunpeng said淡淡地: "Use it sparingly; your father's meager savings won't last long if you keep wasting it like this"

What is going on?" Chen Zhining muttered to himself, having to temporarily set aside the matter of the gourd. He then took out the remaining two second-tier spirit jades from under the bed and buried them again under the peach tree. He could not wait for the results and jumped onto the bed to sleep.

Chen Zhining felt very unhappy. What does it mean? Young master, how did I become a wastrel? What about my ambition? Is it irretrievable?

He then eagerly opened the ring space, wanting to see his gains. However, the result left him greatly disappointed

After dinner, Chen Zhining finally "regained his freedom". The first thing he did upon returning was to enter the ring space. That gourd plant was still the same: I grow and grow, my growth is promising, but I just do not bloom or bear fruit.

Chen Zhining responded insincerely, saying: "Of course, of course"

Chen Yunpeng nodded and said, "Very well, I will take care of this matter."

Chen Zhining raised his head, and on the table was a small wooden box containing six second-tier spirit jades

He saw Chen Zhining and smiled, saying: "Junior Brother Chen, the elders of the sect have instructed me to deliver the first chapter of the highest scripture of the Chuyun Sect, 'Qingyun Zhi', to you. This scripture is fundamental to the establishment of our Chuyun Sect and is of great importance, so I am personally escorting it to ensure it reaches you."

Mr. Mu's visit to the Chen family was merely to express a stance; the message was conveyed, and that was sufficient. Thus, he soon rose to take his leave

Behind the disciples of the Chuyun Sect, a voice expressed dissatisfaction: "Is it possible that our Fire-drinking Sect lacks sincerity?"

At the tea house I frequently visit, I listened to a tune, and at noon I went to Huaiyang Tower for a meal. As soon as Chen Zhining entered, a waiter approached him with great enthusiasm, bowing and saying: "Young Master Chen, you have arrived. The private room upstairs is ready for you, your usual place."

Hmm? Chen Zhining, in a daze, was getting dressed and washing up under the service of Chen Yi. However, this kind of servant work was not something that Chen Yi, a sycophantic servant, was particularly skilled at; the more he hurried, the more chaotic it became.

Chen Zhining thought for a moment and said: "They are not here for the child anyway; they are merely eyeing your influence, hoping to leverage our Chen family's power to suppress their competitors. So whichever family offers the highest price, the child will go to that family." He is not foolish; how could he not see through this

A thirteen-year-old boy, after all, does not possess much sophistication; when he is unhappy, he simply stands silently to the side.

"How stingy!" An unharmonious voice interjected, as a disciple from the Thunder Hall stepped forward, holding a scroll of ancient text with both hands and forcefully presenting it to Chen Zhining: "What you have provided is merely the most superficial part. What our Thunder Hall offers to Junior Brother Chen is the first three chapters of the fundamental great law, 'True Explanation of the Azure Clouds and Thunder.' Junior Brother Chen, from this alone, you can see which side has the greatest sincerity, right?"

A peach blossom on the peach tree withered, resulting in only one peach, which has only grown to half its size

... ...

... ...

Chen Zhining thought to himself that the county school was lacking in sincerity

While eating, Chen Yunpeng asked, "Which one do you prefer?"

Imagine, if someone inadvertently acquires these introductory chapters and finds them to be quite suitable for themselves, they would then need to join their own sect in order to obtain the subsequent parts

These introductory sections have actually been disseminated over the years by the county schools and the three major sects, all in an effort to attract talented disciples

Chen Zhong and Chen Yi went out, but another person walked in. Chen Zhi Ning shivered slightly and forced a smile: "Father, you are back early today"

Chen Zhining entered the main hall and saw his father engaged in a lively conversation with a middle-aged man dressed in traditional Chinese attire. Upon noticing his arrival, his father immediately said: "Ning'er, come quickly to greet Mr. Mu"

Not long after breakfast the next day, Chen Zhining was called up by Chen Yi: "Young Master, please get up quickly. The Master has sent someone to call for you, as it is said that a certain assistant from the county school has arrived."

The peach on the peach tree gradually ripened, and Chen Zhining leaned in to pick it, but a thought came from the peach tree: the time is not yet right

The younger generation has met Mr. Mu." He clasped his fists and slightly bowed, as a form of greeting

Chen Zhining sympathized with the Cai siblings and merely found an excuse to relieve Cai Lin from her arduous task. When Cai Lin stepped out, she shot a fierce glare at Chen Zhong, who covered his face, feeling wronged. He had misstepped in his flattery, and he resigned himself to his fate, as this was indeed a grave mistake that a sycophant should never commit

It was not until before dinner that these social engagements came to an end

In front of Chen Zhining lay four copies of top-tier martial arts manuals. He examined them carefully, yet found himself unable to decide which one to choose.

A trace of barely perceptible disdain flashed in Mr. Mu's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and said with a faint smile: "A prodigal son returning is worth more than gold. Since Young Master Chen has the ambition to improve himself, he is not beyond redemption."

After much effort in helping him get dressed and wash up, Chen Zhining finally became a bit more alert and began to wonder to himself: What is the teaching assistant doing at my home?

... ...

Chen Zhining was thinking about the plants in the ring space and was about to find an excuse to sneak back when he was caught by his father: "Stay and have dinner with me."

The speaker is a woman of medium build, appearing quite ordinary, yet she possesses a stunning mane of fiery red hair. She stepped forward to hand Chen Zhining a booklet: "Junior Brother Chen, this is the first part of our sect's highest scripture, 'The Great Method of Sun Devouring.' All of us in the Fire Drinking Sect eagerly anticipate your joining us."

Cai Lin took over for Chen Yi, while Chen Zhi Ning had not yet awakened. However, he caught a whiff of a refreshing body fragrance and couldn't help but take a couple of deep breaths, appearing quite the lecherous and debauched figure, which made Cai Lin's little face turn crimson. Two sycophants on the side were snickering, further adding to Cai Lin's embarrassment

After sending off his father, Chen Zhining once again possessed the spiritual jade. He hurriedly entered the ring space, burying two pieces beneath the peach tree, taking another two to bury under the gourd, and the remaining two were stuffed under his bed

However, in the afternoon, the county academy, upon receiving the news, was both secretly cursing the three major sects for their shamelessness and dispatching its favored students to deliver the first volume of the fundamental scripture of the academy, "Dao Art," to Chen Zhining.

Chen Zhining, however, could not find a moment of peace. Shortly thereafter, a steward from the Thunder Hall arrived, followed by an elder from the Izumo Gate, and then a coach from the Fire Drinking Sect.

Chen Yunpeng snorted: "I am afraid that if I come back late, I will lose something"

"Yes, the child obeys. How could one oppose at this moment"

Another small achievement has been completed, and Chen Zhining felt even more distinctly the differences of this cultivation method, becoming more certain: the enhancement of strength and physique is likely just the most trivial effect of this mysterious technique, and the true great benefits have yet to be revealed

Hahaha, Mr. Mu is truly infuriating. If my son were to enter the county school, it would be necessary for you to impose strict discipline on him, as he has been exceedingly unruly over the years.

Then, he began to continue cultivating the "Dual Polar Divine Demon Body," quietly waiting for the two plants to mature

"Get out of here, young master, I am going to cultivate now"

Go take a look

Chen Zhining felt a warmth in his heart; his father was different from his mother, who was far away in the county town. His father indeed did not express concern or inquire about his well-being, but he always had faith in his son

A timid voice came forth: "Let me do it."

However, after Chen Zhining reviewed the four classics, he did not have a particular preference for any one of them. Therefore, he temporarily set them aside and continued to focus on cultivating his own "Dual Extremes Divine Demon Body." He had a premonition that after achieving nine minor completions, the true power of this mysterious technique would be revealed.

The next day, after getting up lazily, Chen Yi reported: "Young Master, there are three people waiting for you outside." Chen Zhi Ning asked: "Who are they?"

After achieving a small level of perfection in his practice again tonight, Chen Zhining peacefully fell asleep, and before he knew it, another night had passed.

The competition between the Academy faction and the Sect faction is becoming increasingly intense, prompting everyone to make certain changes. Merely disseminating the introductory texts will not only fail to impact oneself but will also serve to expand the foundation of one's own disciples.